23 July 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Mass Grave of 150 Roman Legionaries Discovered in Vienna—First Direct Evidence of Ancient Combat on the Danube Limes

Archaeologists from the Vienna Museum have made a groundbreaking discovery on the outskirts of Vienna, unearthing the remains of approximately 150 soldiers in what has been described as an exceedingly rare find. The skeletal remains were uncovered during construction work to renovate a football pitch in the residential and industrial area of Simmering, with the initial discovery occurring in October.

Following expert analysis, it has been confirmed that the remains date back to the 1st century AD, during the height of the Roman Empire. The excavation revealed 129 individuals initially, but further analysis indicated that the total number of bodies could exceed 150. This mass grave is particularly significant as burials of this nature were uncommon in the European parts of the Roman Empire, where cremation was the prevalent funerary practice until the 3rd century AD.

Kristina Adler-Wölfl, Head of City Archaeology, explained, “As cremation burials were common around 100 AD, body burials were an absolute exception. Finds of Roman skeletons from this period are therefore extremely rare.” The remains belong exclusively to young males aged between 20 and 30 years, who appear to have been killed in battle, as evidenced by injuries from swords, spears, daggers, and projectile bolts.

Michaela Binder, who led the archaeological dig, noted, “Within the context of Roman acts of war, there are no comparable finds of fighters. Finding the dead is unique for the entire Roman history.” The disorderly arrangement of the skeletons suggests that this was not a formal burial but rather an improvised grave following a violent event.

A construction team renovating a sports field first discovered the remains in October. Credit: Image: A. Slonek/Novetus
A construction team renovating a sports field first discovered the remains in October. Credit: Image: A. Slonek/Novetus

The discovery is linked to the military history of the region, as ancient Vindobona served as a significant military garrison of the Roman Empire. The presence of military artifacts, including a dagger with silver filigree inlays, fragments of scale armor, and spearheads, supports the hypothesis that these individuals were soldiers who fell in battle. This find represents the first direct archaeological evidence of a battle on the Danube Limes, the northern frontier of the Roman Empire.

Vienna’s Councilor for Culture and Science, Veronica Kaup-Hasler, emphasized the importance of this discovery, stating, “Each new archaeological discovery allows us to redefine the boundaries of our knowledge. This mass grave offers us a different perspective on Vienna’s early history and underscores the importance of preserving and studying our historical heritage.”

The ongoing research will include DNA and isotope analyses to determine the origins and living conditions of the individuals, potentially providing crucial insights into the composition of Roman troops along the Danube frontier. As archaeologist Michaela Kronberger noted, “We are facing research that could redefine our understanding of the Roman past in this region.”

Dagger found in the pit, and analyzed with X-rays. Credit: L. Hilzensauer, Wien Museum / TimTom, Wien
Dagger found in the pit, and analyzed with X-rays. Credit: L. Hilzensauer, Wien Museum / TimTom, Wien

This unprecedented find not only sheds light on the military conflicts of the Roman Empire but also offers a unique opportunity to explore the early history of Vienna, paving the way for further investigations into the city’s ancient origins.

Stadt Wien

Cover Image Credit: Finding the buried bodies of early Roman soldiers is soldiers is extremely rare. Credit: Reiner Riedler, Wien Museum

Related Articles

8,500-year-old marble statuette found in Çatalhöyük

28 December 2021

28 December 2021

In the 29th season of the excavations in Çatalhöyük, one of the first urbanization models in Anatolia, in the Çumra...

A woman in the Czech Republic found a medieval jackpot during a walk

29 May 2024

29 May 2024

A woman walking in the town of Kutná Hora in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic found a...

15 new sculptures discovered in Turkey’s sculpture paradise Yesemek

8 December 2021

8 December 2021

Archaeologists discovered 15 new sculptures during recent digs around the Yesemek Open Air Museum and Sculpture Workshop in the Islahiye...

‘Exceptional’ Viking Age silver treasure found in Norway

27 October 2022

27 October 2022

A treasure trove of silver fragments from the Viking Age has been discovered in Stjørdal, near Trondheim in central Norway....

4,000-year-old Snake-Shaped Pottery Handle Found in Taiwan

20 February 2024

20 February 2024

National Tsing Hua University archaeologists in Taiwan have discovered a snake-shaped pottery handle dating back approximately 4000 years. Researchers uncovered...

First Trilobite Fossil Amulet from Roman Early Empire (1st–3rd Century CE) Found in Spain

22 July 2025

22 July 2025

In a discovery that may reshape our understanding of how ancient Romans perceived the natural world, archaeologists have uncovered a...

Rare 3,500-Year-Old Chariot Wheel Discovered at Inverness Golf Course

24 April 2025

24 April 2025

Archaeologists have discovered a rare prehistoric chariot wheel at the site of a future golf course near Inverness. The discovery...

Recent excavations at Girsu uncovered innovative civilization-saving technology of Ancient Sumerians

19 November 2023

19 November 2023

In ancient city Girsu, located near the modern city of Nasiriyah in southern Iraq, revealed through a recent excavation by...

6,000-Year-Old Settlement Was home to Europe’s first megalithic monument makers

22 February 2023

22 February 2023

Archaeologists in France unearthed the remains of a series of wooden buildings within a defensive enclosure that were built at...

483 Celtic gold coins worth several million euros stolen from German museum

23 November 2022

23 November 2022

A huge horde of ancient gold coins dating back to 100 BC was stolen from the Celtic and Roman Museum...

1650-Year-Old Earthen Grills Unearthed in Assos Excavations

14 August 2021

14 August 2021

Excavations continue in Assos Ancient City, a rich settlement of the period, which is located within the borders of Behramkale...

Sacred Seduction: Kamasutra Feminism and the Legacy of Ancient Erotic Temples

8 April 2025

8 April 2025

For many, the Kamasutra is merely a name linked to condom brands and erotic chocolates, often dismissed as just a...

In Jerusalem, a 2700-year-old private toilet from the First Temple era was unearthed

5 October 2021

5 October 2021

The Israel Antiquities Authority discovered a private toilet from the First Temple Period on the Armon Hanatziv promenade in Jerusalem,...

New Study: Middle Paleolithic Human Diet was More Diverse than Previously Thought

30 November 2023

30 November 2023

In a newly published study, archaeologists from the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Paleoenvironment at the University of Tübingen...

This summer, a 2,000-year-old “thermopolium” fast-food restaurant in Pompeii will reopen to the public

8 August 2021

8 August 2021

Archaeologists excavated a 2000-year-old fast food and drink counter “termopolium” on the streets of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii...